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(A) I am Isaiah, the son of Amoz.

And this is the message[a] that I was given about Judah and Jerusalem when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were the kings of Judah:[b]

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Footnotes

  1. 1.1 message: Or “vision.”
  2. 1.1 kings of Judah: Uzziah (783–742 b.c.); Jotham (742–735 b.c.; Ahaz (735–715 b.c.); Hezekiah (715–687 b.c.).

The vision(A) concerning Judah and Jerusalem(B) that Isaiah son of Amoz saw(C) during the reigns of Uzziah,(D) Jotham,(E) Ahaz(F) and Hezekiah,(G) kings of Judah.

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Justice, Not Sacrifices

10 You are no better
    than the leaders and people
of Sodom and Gomorrah!
    So listen to the Lord God:
11 (A) “Your sacrifices
    mean nothing to me.
I am sick of your offerings
    of rams and choice cattle;
I don't like the blood
    of bulls or lambs or goats.

12 “Who asked you to bring all this
when you come to worship me?
    Stay out of my temple!
13 Your sacrifices are worthless,
    and your incense disgusting.
I can't stand the evil you do
    on your New Moon Festivals
or on your Sabbaths
    and other times of worship.
14 I hate your New Moon Festivals
    and all others as well.
They are a heavy burden
    I am tired of carrying.

15 “No matter how much you pray,
I won't listen.
    You are too violent.
16 Wash yourselves clean!
    I hate your filthy deeds.
Stop doing wrong
17     and learn to live right.
See that justice is done.
Defend widows and orphans
    and help the oppressed.”[a]

An Invitation from the Lord

18 I, the Lord, invite you
    to come and talk it over.
Your sins are scarlet red,
but they will be whiter
    than snow or wool.
19 If you willingly obey me,
the best crops in the land
    will be yours.
20 But if you turn against me,
your enemies will kill you.
    I, the Lord, have spoken.

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Footnotes

  1. 1.17 and help the oppressed: Or “and punish cruel people.”

10 Hear the word of the Lord,(A)
    you rulers of Sodom;(B)
listen to the instruction(C) of our God,
    you people of Gomorrah!(D)
11 “The multitude of your sacrifices—
    what are they to me?” says the Lord.
“I have more than enough of burnt offerings,
    of rams and the fat of fattened animals;(E)
I have no pleasure(F)
    in the blood of bulls(G) and lambs and goats.(H)
12 When you come to appear before me,
    who has asked this of you,(I)
    this trampling of my courts?
13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings!(J)
    Your incense(K) is detestable(L) to me.
New Moons,(M) Sabbaths and convocations(N)
    I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
14 Your New Moon(O) feasts and your appointed festivals(P)
    I hate with all my being.(Q)
They have become a burden to me;(R)
    I am weary(S) of bearing them.
15 When you spread out your hands(T) in prayer,
    I hide(U) my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
    I am not listening.(V)

Your hands(W) are full of blood!(X)

16 Wash(Y) and make yourselves clean.
    Take your evil deeds out of my sight;(Z)
    stop doing wrong.(AA)
17 Learn to do right;(AB) seek justice.(AC)
    Defend the oppressed.[a](AD)
Take up the cause of the fatherless;(AE)
    plead the case of the widow.(AF)

18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,”(AG)
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;(AH)
though they are red as crimson,
    they shall be like wool.(AI)
19 If you are willing and obedient,(AJ)
    you will eat the good things of the land;(AK)
20 but if you resist and rebel,(AL)
    you will be devoured by the sword.”(AM)
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.(AN)

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 1:17 Or justice. / Correct the oppressor